Japan - Who to book with?

[Pumpkin Pie]

We flew to Tokyo and returned from there so our hotel in Tokyo kept our luggage for us as we were returning there at the end of our holiday for a couple of nights. We only had to take one suitcase to Kyoto. It’s another option and it was free.

[amy56]

Originally Posted by Pumpkin Pie

We flew to Tokyo and returned from there so our hotel in Tokyo kept our luggage for us as we were returning there at the end of our holiday for a couple of nights. We only had to take one suitcase to Kyoto. It’s another option and it was free.

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Out of interest which hotel was it and would you recommend it aside from the luggage storage? x

[Pumpkin Pie]

The hotel was The Strings by InterContinental in Shinagawa. It is a five star and we loved it. Can’t fault it except it is not cheap and seems to have jumped up in price as we wanted to return there next year but we are waiting for prices to drop! The hotel staff were lovely and very professional with perfect English.

We were concerned before arriving that Shinagawa was a bit further away from the centre but it was perfect for us. Shinagawa Station is large but is easy to navigate with only two exits and the Shinkansen trains stop here as well as the NEX express train from the airport. It’s perfect to travel all over Tokyo. Not much night life though if you are looking for that locally.

[amy56]

Originally Posted by Pumpkin Pie

The hotel was The Strings by InterContinental in Shinagawa. It is a five star and we loved it. Can’t fault it except it is not cheap and seems to have jumped up in price as we wanted to return there next year but we are waiting for prices to drop! The hotel staff were lovely and very professional with perfect English.

We were concerned before arriving that Shinagawa was a bit further away from the centre but it was perfect for us. Shinagawa Station is large but is easy to navigate with only two exits and the Shinkansen trains stop here as well as the NEX express train from the airport. It’s perfect to travel all over Tokyo. Not much night life though if you are looking for that locally.

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Thank you for replying - that sounds ideal for us. We are waiting until 2021 as assumed next year will be too busy/expensive for us due to having to go in August and the olympics being held - so hopefully 2021 might see some good prices! 👍

[kateb78]

Lots more good info, thanks! Will take a look at Wendy Wu as well.

[Pumpkin Pie]

Originally Posted by amy56

Thank you for replying - that sounds ideal for us. We are waiting until 2021 as assumed next year will be too busy/expensive for us due to having to go in August and the olympics being held - so hopefully 2021 might see some good prices! 👍

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Just to give you an idea of distance it is around 10 minutes from Shinagawa Station to Tokyo Station by train (trains run every 4 minutes!). It’s a really nice area outside Tokyo Station also (Station is huge). I personally would not like to stay at Shibuya or Shinjuku as it is way too busy for me but it is easy to access on the Yamanote line.

[mermaids1960]

We have booked a Cruise October and plan to do 4 or 5 nights Tokyo for Disney & Disney sea before we board so also looking for tips 😊 Hope you get some good advise for your parents 👍

[YorkshireT]

I’m thinking of going in 2021, has anyone just hired a car and driven around?

[Caroian]

Originally Posted by YorkshireT

I’m thinking of going in 2021, has anyone just hired a car and driven around?

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Japan is a pretty big country, and many of the main highlights are reasonably spread out. Even just aiming to take in the central area between Tokyo and Hiroshima (or even just as far as Osaka) you'd be covering a lot of miles which can be covered far, far faster by bullet train. Travelling via train in Japan really is both a part of the experience and a pleasure. The country is set up for long distance travel by rail.

Personally I wouldn't fancy driving in the urban areas in particular either, as they are busy and can be densely congested. I spend enough time in traffic in the UK! The major urban areas have excellent transit systems - metro etc, and again it is simple and efficient to get around this way.

If you want to get off the beaten track and visit areas of Japan outside the main urban areas and tourist destinations, then the situation might be different of course.

[THE WIZARD]

Seems to be an awful lot us planning to go 2021! Perhaps we ought to charter a plane & do it on mass !